Escrow Payment Terms

Last updated: June 16, 2026

These Escrow Payment Terms ("Escrow Terms") govern how payments are handled between applicants and attorneys through the Verom.ai platform. These terms supplement the general Terms of Service.

Related documents: Terms of Service | Attorney Network Agreement | Applicant Protection Policy | Anti-Fraud Policy

1. How Escrow Works

1. Applicant pays into escrow — When an applicant engages an attorney through the marketplace, payment is deposited into a Verom-managed escrow account. Funds are never sent directly to the attorney.
2. Milestones are defined — Each case has milestones based on the visa type. Both the applicant and attorney see the milestone schedule before the engagement begins.
3. Attorney completes work — As the attorney reaches each milestone, they submit proof of completion through the platform.
4. Funds are released — Once proof is verified (receipt numbers, filing confirmations, or equivalent), the corresponding payment is released to the attorney.
5. Case completes — Final payment is released when the case reaches its conclusion (approval, completion of services, or other defined endpoint).

2. Milestone Definitions by Visa Type

Each visa category has standard milestones. Below are examples for common visa types:

H-1B (Work Visa — US)

Milestone	Payment Release	Proof Required
Intake & case assessment complete	15%	Signed retainer, intake summary
LCA filed with DOL	15%	LCA confirmation number
LCA approved, I-129 petition filed	30%	USCIS receipt number
Case adjudicated (approval/RFE response)	40%	Approval notice or RFE response filing

I-130 / I-485 (Family-Based Green Card — US)

Milestone	Payment Release	Proof Required
Intake & document collection complete	15%	Signed retainer, document checklist
I-130 petition filed	20%	USCIS receipt number
I-485 / concurrent filing submitted	25%	Receipt numbers for all filings
Interview preparation complete	15%	Interview prep notes, client confirmation
Case adjudicated	25%	Decision notice

Skilled Worker (UK)

Milestone	Payment Release	Proof Required
Intake & eligibility assessment	20%	Assessment report, signed engagement
Certificate of Sponsorship obtained	30%	CoS reference number
Application submitted to Home Office	30%	Submission confirmation
Decision received	20%	Decision letter

Express Entry (Canada)

Milestone	Payment Release	Proof Required
Profile assessment & EE profile created	20%	EE profile number
ITA received & application prepared	30%	ITA confirmation
Application submitted to IRCC	30%	IRCC acknowledgment
COPR received	20%	COPR document

Milestone definitions for additional visa types (student visas, investor visas, asylum, etc.) are available in the platform when setting up each engagement.

3. Partial Release and Filing Fees

Attorneys may request early partial release to cover government filing fees:

• Filing fee advances require documentation of the specific fees to be paid
• Filing fees are released directly upon request with proof of the fee amount from the relevant government agency
• Attorney must provide filing receipt within 14 days of receiving the advance

4. Refund Policy

Money-Back Protection Window

Applicants may request a full refund within 72 hours of initial payment if no substantive legal work has been performed. After 72 hours, refunds are governed by milestone completion:

• Unreleased milestones are fully refundable upon case termination
• Released milestones (where proof was verified) are non-refundable
• Partially completed milestones are resolved through the dispute process

Auto-Refund on Inactivity

If an attorney takes no verifiable action on a case for 30 consecutive days after accepting it:

• The applicant is notified and given the option to request a refund or wait
• If no action is taken within an additional 14 days, remaining escrow funds are automatically returned to the applicant
• The attorney's performance score is adjusted accordingly

5. Dispute Resolution

If an applicant and attorney disagree about milestone completion or payment release:

1. Direct resolution — Both parties are encouraged to communicate and resolve the issue directly through the platform messaging system
2. Verom mediation — Either party may request Verom mediation. A Verom dispute specialist will review the case, evidence, and communications within 5 business days
3. Binding decision — If mediation does not resolve the dispute, Verom will issue a binding decision based on the evidence, milestone definitions, and the terms of this agreement
4. External arbitration — If either party disagrees with Verom's decision, they may pursue binding arbitration as described in the Terms of Service

During dispute resolution, contested funds remain in escrow until a resolution is reached.

6. Platform Fees

Verom charges a transparent platform fee on marketplace transactions:

• The platform fee is disclosed to both the applicant and attorney before the engagement begins
• The fee is deducted at the time of each milestone release
• Attorneys see their net payout (after platform fee) for each milestone
• Applicants see the total amount including the platform fee at checkout

7. Payment Processing

• Payments are processed through Stripe, a PCI DSS Level 1 certified payment processor
• Verom does not store credit card numbers or payment card data on our servers
• Attorney payouts are processed through Stripe Connect to the attorney's verified bank account
• Payouts are typically processed within 2-5 business days of milestone release

8. Tax Obligations

Attorneys are responsible for their own tax obligations. Verom will provide 1099 forms (US) or equivalent tax documentation as required by law. Verom does not withhold taxes from attorney payouts.

9. Regulatory Compliance and Legal Framework

Money Transmission Compliance

Verom's payment processing and escrow operations are designed to comply with applicable state and federal money transmission laws. Escrow funds are held in segregated, FDIC-insured accounts and are not commingled with Verom's operating funds. Verom partners with licensed payment processors (including Stripe) and maintains appropriate money transmission licenses or exemptions as required by applicable state laws.

IOLTA Trust Accounting — Important Notice for Attorneys

Verom's escrow system is a platform-managed payment escrow, not an attorney IOLTA (Interest on Lawyers' Trust Accounts) trust account. Attorneys should be aware of the following:

• Verom's escrow is separate from any IOLTA obligation an attorney may have under their state bar rules
• In most jurisdictions, unearned retainer fees paid directly to an attorney must be held in the attorney's IOLTA account; however, when payments are held by a third-party payment platform (such as Verom), specific IOLTA rules may vary by jurisdiction
• Attorneys are solely responsible for ensuring their fee arrangements comply with their jurisdiction's trust accounting rules (IOLTA/IOTA) and are advised to consult their state bar's guidance on third-party payment platforms
• Verom's built-in Trust Accounting module provides IOLTA-compliant ledger management for attorneys who need to track trust funds separately

Consumer Financial Protection

Applicant funds held in escrow are consumer funds protected from Verom's operational claims. In the event of Verom's insolvency, escrow funds held on behalf of applicants are held in trust and are not assets of Verom. These protections are maintained through segregated accounts and contractual arrangements with our payment processor.

Anti-Money Laundering (AML)

Verom complies with applicable anti-money laundering laws. We may request identity verification for large transactions and may report suspicious activity to appropriate authorities as required by law. Users agree to provide accurate payment information and not to use the platform for money laundering or other financial crimes.

10. Changes to These Terms

Verom may update these Escrow Terms with 30 days advance notice. Existing escrow arrangements continue under the terms in effect at the time the escrow was created.

Contact

For questions about escrow, payments, or refunds, contact payments@verom.ai.